A paedophile who systematically sexually abused three vulnerable young girls has been jailed for 20 years.

David Weightman preyed on the youngsters, starting when one was just six years old, by groping them when he was looking after them.

And the pervert told two of the terrified youngsters that he would have sex with them 'one day' leaving them terrified of the next time they would see him.

Weightman also took the opportunity to sexually abused a fourth young girl when he briefly met her when she too was in a vulnerable state.

The 56-year-old, of Linkway, Salisbury, carried out the sex attacks on the youngsters between 1998 and 2004.

Although he pleaded not guilty to the allegations a jury found him guilty of 19 counts, including rape, attempted rape and sexual assault, following a trial.

Philip Warren, for the Crown, told Swindon Crown Court that he had shown 'grooming behaviour' on the vulnerable youngsters Charles Row, defending, said that his client, formerly of Trowbridge, had a number of health issues including sepsis and 'shattered nerves'.

Jailing him Judge Tim Mousley QC said "Over a period of about nine years between 1998 and 2007 you systematically abused three young girls. In addition you opportunistically abused another girl.

"I have seen them give evidence and I have heard each of one speak of the impact your abuse has had upon them.

"In my judgement they have shown remarkable resilience. But their lives have been ruined. Their formative years were times on enormous sadness and fear.

"You chose to contest this: that is your right. If you had admitted it how much easier it would be for the girls to move on with their lives.

"They had to wait for the jury to say guilty: you hadn't got the courage to say it yourself.

"The girls kept the truth to themselves for the best of reasons. The psychological impact on them has been immense.

"Your abuse of them took may forms, it included you trying to have sex with them against their will.

"You told two of them that one day you would have sex with them. You might like to pause for minute: what a young girl might think of that when she had already been abused."

He also told him he would have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, would be barred from working with children and must abide by a sexual harm prevention order which would restrict his liberty.

Speaking after his conviction Temporary Detective Sergeant Helen Clarke, of Chippenham CID, said "Weightman has shown no remorse for his despicable actions and his not guilty plea meant that his victims had to relive their horrific ordeals once again.

"I would like to praise the four victims in this case who have shown an incredible amount of bravery and courage in not only coming forward and reporting this abuse to police, but also in standing in court to give evidence.

"I cannot imagine how difficult this would have been after so many years of trying to rebuild their own lives. Without their cooperation, we would never have reached this stage."